26 



LETTER II. 



away along with it ; the stamens therefore arise aid 

 of the calyx, which is a very different affair from 

 what occurs in the Crowfoot, and in this way they, 

 and the natural orders to which they respectively 

 belong, may be certainly known from each other. 

 When stamens have such an origin as in the Straw- 

 berry, they are technically called perigynous, a term 

 which is so commonly used, that I could wish you to 

 remember it. 



Let me now shew you a natural order of plants, 

 Avhich, although less beautiful than the Poppy 

 tribe and the Crowfoot tribe, is not less interesting 

 or important. Enclosed with this letter are fresh 

 gathered specimens of a little plant with dark-green 

 leaves, cut into many fine divisions, like parsley- 

 leaves ; their smell is strong and unpleasant. The 

 flower-stem of this weed is about a foot high, and it 

 bears small greenish- white blossoms, arranged at the 

 ends of the branches in a very peculiar manner 

 (PL II. 1.^^. 1.)- From its resemblance to Parsley, 

 and from its noxious qualities, for it is very poisonous, 

 the vulgar call it Fool's Parsley (^thusa Cynapium). 

 You will' find it growing wild in almost any piece of 

 waste o-arden ground, where it has sometimes been 

 mistaken for Parsley that has sprung up sponta- 

 neously, and has proved fatal to unfortunate children 

 who have eaten of its leaves. 



As it is rather a dangerous neighbour, you will 

 not be sorry that I have taken an early opportunity 

 of shewing you how to know the traitor, notwith- 

 standing his resemblance to one of the most harmless 



